INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

@ SCHOOLS

1. INTRODUCTION
Information & Communication Technology (ICT) is
universally acknowledged as an important catalyst for social
transformation and national progress. However, disparities in
the levels of ICT readiness and use could translate into
disparities in levels of productivities and hence, could
influence a countrys rate of economic growth. Understanding
and leveraging ICT is, therefore, critical for countries striving
for continued social and economic progress.
India shows enormous geographic and demographic
disparity in ICT use. India has one of the largest ICT
workforce in the world. One can find intense ICT use in
technology clusters such as Bangalore and Gurgaon or
amongst the upper middle brackets of incomes. The other side
of the story is that large parts of the country lack even
telephone connectivity.

2. BACKGROUND
India recognized the importance of ICT in education as
early as 1984-85 when the Computer Literacy and Studies
in Schools (CLASS) was initially introduced as a pilot
Project with the introduction of BBC micro-computers. A
total of 12,000 such computers were received and
distributed to Secondary and Senior Secondary Schools
through State Governments. The project was subsequently
adopted as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme during the 8th
Plan (1993-98). During the 8th Five Year Plan the Scheme

was widened to provide financial grants to institutions

which were given BBC Micros and also to cover new
Government aided Sec./ Sr. Sec. Schools.
Assistance
included annual maintenance grant for BBC micros and
purchase as well as maintenance of equipment for new
Schools.
2598 schools having BBC Micros were covered under
the CLASS scheme during the 8th Plan for providing
Instructors, maintenance of hardware, consumables and text
books for students and training of teachers in schools. In
addition, 2371 schools were covered with new hardware
and services which included Rs. 1.00 lakh for hardware
configuration and Rs. 1.30 lakhs per annum for recurring
costs. Rs. 0.80 lakh per annum was kept as the recurring
costs for schools which had already been covered under the
BBC-Micros scheme.
NIC was identified as the nodal agency for finalizing
the contract for the supply of hardware. The use and supply
of software was limited, coverage was confined to Sr.
Secondary Schools and the students of Class XI & XII had
to undergo a Computer Course Module.
National Task Force on Information Technology
and Software Development (IT Task Force) -constituted
by the Prime Minister - in July, 1998 has made specific
recommendations on introduction of I.T. in the education
sector including schools. The relevant paragraphs are
reproduced below:
Vidyarthi Computer Scheme, Shikshak Computer
Scheme and School Computer Scheme to enable students,
teachers or schools respectively, desirous of buying
computers to do so under attractive financial packages.

These schemes will be supported by a suite of initiatives

such as lowering the cost of PCs, easy installment bank
loans, computer donations by IT companies and other
business houses, bulk donations of computers by NRI
organizations, large-volume bargain price imports, multilateral funding, etc.
Computers and Internet shall be made accessible to
schools, polytechnics, colleges, and public hospitals in the
country by the year 2003.
The concept of SMART Schools, where the emphasis
is not only on Information Technology in Schools, but also
on the use of skills and values that will be important in the
next millennium, shall be started on a pilot demonstrative
basis in each State.
The Report recommended provision of computer
systems to all educational Institutions upto Higher
Secondary/ Secondary Schools by suitable investments
(about 1-3%) of the total budget during the next five years.
The recommendations of the Task Force have been
approved by the Council of Ministers.
The ICT in Schools scheme is a window of
opportunity to the learners in the schools of India to bridge
this digital divide. The scheme is not a simple merger of
the earlier CLASS and ET Schemes but is a comprehensive
and well thought-out initiative to open new vistas of
learning and to provide a level playing filed to school
students, whether in rural areas or in the metropolitan
cities. The ICT in Schools Scheme is not a standalone
scheme but actively solicits the partnership of States, Union
Territories & other organizations in a mutual endeavour to

bridge the heterogeneous proliferation of ICT across

different socio-economic and geographic segments in the
country. This partnership is manifest in the structure of
financing the initiative, in encouraging the development of
long-term Computer Education Plans, the setting-up of
Smart Schools by KVS/NVS in States as technology
demonstrators and in providing for supplementing the
States efforts in these areas with no attempt being made to
supplant the State Schemes.
The centrally sponsored scheme of Educational
Technology and Computer Literacy and Studies in
Schools have been suitably modified keeping in view the
past experience, the feedback which has been received and
changing needs to form the new scheme of Information and
Communication Technology in Schools. The component
regarding financial assistance to / States /UTs for purchase
of RCCPs and CTVs under the erstwhile Educational
Technology Scheme has been weeded out.

3. OBJECTIVES
1) To establish an enabling environment to promote the usage
of ICT especially in Higher Secondary and Secondary
Government Schools in rural areas. Critical factors of such
an enabling environment include widespread availability of
access devices, connectivity to the Internet and promotion
of ICT literacy.
2) To ensure the availability of quality content on-line and
through access devices both in the private sector and by
SIETs.
3) Enrichment of existing curriculum and pedagogy by
employing ICT tools for teaching and learning.

4) To enable students to acquire skills needed for the Digital

world for higher studies and gainful employment.
5) To provide an effective learning environment for children
with special needs through ICT tools.
6) Promote critical thinking and analytical skills by
developing self-learning.
This shall transform the
classroom environment from teacher-centric to studentcentric learning.
7) To promote the use of ICT tools in distance education
including the employment of audio-visual medium and
satellite-based devices.

4. DETAILS OF THE SCHEME

(I)

COMPONENTS
The present scheme has essentially four components. The
first one is the partnership with State Governments and
Union Territories Administrations for providing
computer-aided education to Secondary & Higher
Secondary Government Schools. The second is the
establishment of SMART schools which shall be
technology demonstrators. Universalisation of Computer
Literacy through the network of KVS and NVS to
neighbouring schools is the third component and the
fourth components relates to the activities of SIETs.

(ii) IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERS

States/UT Governments, State Institutes of Education
Technology, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Navoldaya
Vidyalaya Samiti, Government and Government aided
schools systems shall be the implementing partners.
Moreover, financial assistance would also be provided to

short-listed NGOs /Trusts /Societies and Companies for

software development, teaching tools, designing training
models, evaluation, monitoring and other contingent
expenditure. The State/UT Governments shall be free to
partner with private organizations or integrate it with other
similar schemes for implementation of the ICT in schools
scheme including providing for maintenance. The
implementation of the scheme will be multi-modal. The
Ministry of Human Resource Development shall consider
the entry of the private sector in a Build-Own-Operate or
annuity modal wherever possible. The direct procurement
of hardware by the state would be the last resort. The
National Council for Teachers Education shall be associated
with the scheme in the context of training of teachers in
computer-aided learning. The Rehabilitation Council of
India would play an important role in projects involving
introduction of use of technology for the education of
children with special needs.
(iii) FINANCIAL PARAMETERS
(a)
Under the CLASS component of the ICT scheme, the
Union Government would provide 75% of financial
assistance to State /UTs. The balance 25% of funds would
be contributed by the State Governments/UTs. The scheme
also provides for contribution of 25% of funds from the
MPLAD scheme in addition or as an alternative to State
Government contribution. Assistance shall be provided to
special category states in the ratio 90:10. The assistance of
the Government of India would be for the following items
and upto the limits indicated against each item:-

(In Rupees)

1. 10 PCs/Printer/CRT per school inclusive of facilities

like scanner, web camera, modem etc., or one server with
10 workstation with accessories.
- 4,05,000
2. Operating System & Application Software
- 20,000
3. Educational Software
- 45,000
4. Furniture
- 16,000
5. Computer stationery
- 50,000
6. Teachers Training
- 60,000
7. Internet
- 30,000
8. Maintenance-50% of the cost of annual
maintenance contract
- 20,000
9. Monitoring Cost
- 24,000
Total
- 6,70,000
10.
Recurring Costs, which includes consumables,
hardware and network maintenance, monitoring costs,
telephone for Internet usage
- 1,34,000

It may be noted that even in the revised norms, it is

proposed to have greater in-built flexibility. The States
would have the option to incur expenditure on the above
items or any other item like generators, preparation of labs
for computers including civil repairs and cabling and
provision of electricity depending upon their needs and
resources, subject to a overall maximum limit of Rs. 6,70
lakhs per school. The Central Governments share would
be restricted to Rs. 5,00 lakhs per school.

(b)
The provision for software shall include learning
Management System & curriculum based course-ware apart
from operating systems & other application software.
(c)
An amount of Rs. 1.00 crore would be kept aside
annually for the Department of Secondary and Higher
Education for development of software, teaching tools,
designing training models, evaluation, monitoring and other
contingent expenditure.
(d)
Ministry of Human Resource Development shall
endeavour to institutionalize content development through
National education portal.
The British Educational
Communications & Technology Agency (BECTA), UK could
be considered as a modal incorporating elements of public
private partnership.
(e)
KVS and NVS each would convert one school per
State/UT into a SMART school subject to availability of
funds. A grant of not more than Rs. 25 lakhs would be given
per SMART school. This limit may be reviewed in the future,
if needed. A sum of Rs. 2.5 lakhs shall be provided as
recurring costs which includes maintenance, consumable,
Internet usage & monitoring costs.
(f)
In SMART Schools the emphasis would not only be
on the use of Information Technology but also on the use of
skills and values that will be important in the next millennium.
It is hoped that at least one section (of 40 students) in each of
the class IX XII will be fully computerized. Thus, a school
having 160 computers @ 40 computers for each IX to XII
classes may be called a SMART school under the scheme.
However, keeping in view the fact that this target cannot be
achieved in one go, it is proposed to provide 40 computers to

such identified schools. A grant of not more that 25 lakhs per

school would be given to KVS/NVS for the purpose.
Both KVS and NVS have identified the schools which will be
converted into SMART Schools. Kendriya Vidyalayas and
Navodaya Vidyalayas would be given funds at the rate of Rs.
20,000/- per neigbhourhood school to impart computer literacy
to not more than ten neighbourhood schools within a radious
of 3 to 4 kilometers to cover 8,000 such schools over 3 years.
The course shall be imparted in the local language if such a
demand is received from the beneficiary school. An Advisory
committee consisting of the Principal of the Mother School
and all Principals of participating schools will manage and
oversee the programme.
(g)
The financial assistance to SIETs shall be in the
project mode. The financial assistance would be provided to
SIETs on the basis of the project proposals submitted by
SIETs. These project proposals shall be submitted to the
Project Monitoring and Evaluation Group which shall assess
the proposals submitted as to their utility and quality.
Progressively, the administrative expenses of SIETs shall be
reduced to zero within five years.
The establishment cost of SIETs i.e., pay and allowances
including employees contribution towards CPF and leave salary and
pension contribution in respect of deputationists shall form part of
project cost. The details of financial assistance for the various other
components in respect of SIETs is given below:
SL.
No

Items

Expenditure limit

1.

Programme production

a) Video Programme Rs.30,000/- per

programme of ten minutes duration.
This will include expenditure on

support material, research, evaluation

& training, miscellaneous equipment,
tools and technical consumables,
purchase of electronic /electrical
hardware, vehicle maintenance and
all programme production related
expenditure including charges for
hired input.
b) Audio Programme @ Rs. 10,000/per programme. All related items of
expenditure per programme shall be
met out of this.
2.

Office
expenses Rs. 3 lakhs per annum.
(stationery,
postage,
telephone/internet /Fax
charges,
furniture,
hospitality, liveries, TA
/DA and contingencies
etc.)

3.

Library
Books
& Rs. 50,000/periodicals, CD Rom
and
purchase
of
software

4.

Building
/Studio 100% basis through PWD or Open
Maintenance (Electrical Tender, whichever is less.
& Civil)

5.

Maintenance of AC Plant 100 % basis per PWD/ CPWD

estimates submitted by SIET.

6.

Advertisement
and Actual Expenditure but with approval
Printing of Brochure of MHRD.
and pamphlets

7.

Holding of seminars, Actual expenditure but with approval

conferences
and of MHRD.
symposium etc.

5. ILLUSTRATIVE LIST OF ACTIVITIES

Production of Audio, Video and Multi Media programmes
in the project mode by the State Institutes of Educational
Technology established at Pune, Bhubaneswar, Patna,
Lucknow,
Hyderabad,
Ahmedabad
and
Thiruvananthapuram.
Assessment of need for multi-media programmes,
preparation of profiles of target groups, design and
development of audio-video programmes and other
teaching aids, training of State level personnel in the
process of educational technology viz. scripting, production
of programmes and technical operations of equipment and
studios for their production by Central Institute of
Education Technology (CIET)/State Institutes of Education
Technology (SIET).
Training to teachers and teacher trainers in the production
of low-cost audio-visual aids, help in script development,
media production, editing, communication research, setting
up and operation of audio and videos studios and
computerization of its various processes by Central Institute
of Education Technology (CIET)/State Institutes of
Education Technology (SIET).
Feeding telecast and broadcast service title Tarang and
Umang respectively on DD-I and AIR and dedicated
educational channel Gyan Darshan and Gyan Vani by CIET
and SIETs.

 Coordination of academic production and technical

activities of the 6 State Institutes of Educational
Technologies by CIET.
Organizing Educational Film Festivals/Multimedia contests.
Financial support to States/UTs on the basis of their
Computer Education Plans (CEPs).
Support to KVS/NVS for opening of SMART schools and
for imparting computer literacy to students in
neighbourhood schools.
Development of multimedia content for use in schools.
Digitization of video and audio cassettes produced by
SIETs on the basis of fresh assessment and in partnership
with non-governmental agencies so as to make them viable
and self-sufficient.
Establishing and Conferring National
development and use of ICT tools.

Awards

for

Development of teaching tools, designing training modules

for teachers.
Financial support for conversion of content into regional
languages.
Projects for introduction of use of technology for the
education of children with special needs.
Sale of audio and video programmes made by SIETs on a
commercial basis.
Leasing/hiring of studios and equipment by SIETs to other
agencies both Government and non-Government on a
commercial basis.

 Training of teachers and master trainers/resource persons in

the use of ICT tools for enrichment of curriculum and
pedagogy.
6.

PROCESS OF EXECUTION

Each State/UT would formulate a Computer Education Plan

(CEP). The CEP would indicate the steps already taken by the State
Government/UTs and the assistance, which they now require. The
project proposals should inter-alia indicate number of schools in the
State (Government, Government aided), the number already having
computers, the number of schools now proposed to be covered and
within what period, number of students likely to be benefited, whether
State Government/UTs have made provision for the States share in
their budget, vendors which have been short listed for procurement of
equipment, provision of training, availability of infrastructure etc.
While preparing the CEP, the State Government/UT will ensure that at
least two schools are selected from each identified Educationally
Backward Block for assistance under this scheme.
The proposals for the existing components must indicate the
funds received earlier for them, the status of their utilization and
benefits accrued in qualitative and quantitative sense.
Efforts would be made for convergence and dovetailing with
schemes of other Departments like Ministry of Information
Technology whose representative will be invited to the meeting of the
Project Monitoring and Evaluation Group. The States/UTs shall be
free to dovetail this scheme with existing or proposed schemes of the
State Governments.
Funds will be allotted to KVS/NVS for SMART schools and
Universalisation of Computer Literacy on the basis of the proposals
submitted by KVS/NVS.

The Department of Information Technology would contribute to

the scheme by making available its infrastructure resources and
expertise to provide internet connectivity to schools.
The Project Monitoring and Evaluation Group (PMEG) shall be
empowered to affect modifications in the scheme based on the
feedback received and depending upon changes in the technological
environment. As the shift in technological parameters in rapid, this
would ensure that the scheme is able to adapt itself to changing
conditions and requirements. Financial norms and budgetary outlays
shall, however, be strictly adhered to.
7. GRANT-IN-AID COMMITTEE
A Project Monitoring and Evaluation Group headed by the
Secretary (Secondary and Higher Education) would consider the
Computer Education Plans (CEPs) received from the States/UTs.
The Group would also include a representative of Ministry of
Information Technology, NIC and representatives of organizations
engaged in the field of computer education. This Group shall also
consider the project proposals submitted by SIETs.
8. RELEASE OF GRANT
On approval of the project / CEP the grant shall be released
to the State/UT/SIET on an annual basis in two or more
installments- the first installment of 50% will be released
immediately after the issue of sanction. After the State/SIET has
utilized 75% of the 1st installment it may make a request for release
of the subsequent installment along with progress report and
statement of expenditure with full details. The release of grants in
the second and subsequent years will be made on a similar basis,
provided that before release of the second installment in a
particular financial year (beginning with the second year) the

utilization certificate and audited statement of accounts in respect

of grants released till the end of the proceeding year is furnished.
9. DISBURSEMENT
The grants of SIETs/KVS/NVS would be remitted either by
Demand Draft drawn in its favour by the Ministry of
Human Resource Development or by telegraphic transfer to
the savings bank account opened in its name. The grants to
States/UTs would be given through Inter Government
adjustment advice.
10. MONITORING AND EVALUATION
The Project Monitoring and Evaluation Group would also
function as the Monitoring Committee. In addition, the
SIETs and the State/UT Government submitting the proposal
would be required to submit progress reports every quarter.
The Department would also explore the possibility of getting
the ICT in Schools scheme evaluated through an
independent agency.
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